Compiled by Priya and Geeta
As a part of professional development for the team, Sujata asked us what are some topics that we would like to know more about. We wrote up a list of topics which we wanted to understand in more detail. The training included six sessions scheduled across the month of May. The team spent more than two hours of training for each session. The session started with a literacy game and continued to serve the purpose of the training. Read on to find out from the team members what they experienced during the training.
From the Bookworm Participants
Sneha
“Having worked with Bookworm for a year now, would make me a better library person, is what I thought for myself. But as I started attending the sessions everyday I got to learn new things. I knew that the workshop would open up many new things from a facilitator who has been working with Libraries for so many years. Watching Sujata Noronha facilitate the workshop with ease and with her innumerable experiences really made the sessions beautiful. From the first day bringing the ideas of a Library, to introducing a beautiful book and other books was something unique I got to see for the first time. With the new day came a new topic and new aspects. Opening up parts of books, annotating a book, coming to the new vocabulary every session was quite a lovely thing to absorb from the sessions. We shared journals , Sujata did notes like chapter wise revisions to make sure we do not miss on anything..All this kept us engaged, and things discussed were not lost. Right from parts of a book, to annotations to story grammar to deep reading , learning how to decode certain descriptions in the story , how to research, were the topics which were very helpful. There were readings, there was an interactive read aloud , speed dating like Booktalks and not to forget, games which took over the sessions and were fun playing. Anandita’s paper on Non-fiction books was really a treat to read. The sessions were so lively, that I did not want to miss any of the sessions. The best part of it was the discussions which made me think critically and deeply and contribute to the discussion. This is what a fully and perfectly planned workshop.”
Vishwanath
“The Professional training workshop helped me to recharge and gain information about the Library in detail. It helped me to understand story grammar. Annotations were something new for me & I learnt to do it in this process. I was aware of the ISBN (International standard book number) but was curious to see how it works. Parts of the book revealed some secrets and I was wondering how my eyes had missed some important details while reading books.
The Lady With The Books gave an overview of how stories play important roles and how stories can have stories within it. Opening out this book had a great impact. Reading other books like Ferdinand, Story of babar, The match girl, Pippi Longstocking and Pinocchio helped me to understand the true meaning of deep reading. Book talk dates helped to polish the skill and the Read Aloud experience changed the way to look at the story. Games were like refreshments to the learning.”
Melcom
“I am glad that I got this opportunity to be part of Sujata’s workshop. I will say that many things were taken for granted when it comes to maintaining the collection, parts of the book and the library, but this workshop helped me to sharpen my understanding of the collection, reading and story and relearn many things. I learned a lot about the parts of books – external and internal, ISBN and its search mechanism at Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Library of Congress (which I never knew before), genres, deep reading stories, story grammar, and many more. I also liked how Sujata held the session – so clear with her points and made us understand the most complicated things in a simple way. I also like how she gives the team the space to be reflective and share how they felt or understood the concept or the topic. Overall, this workshop was very helpful, a much-needed one.”
Priya
“Through these sessions, I learnt a lot about the library. The journal writing on What surprised you in the library when you first visited Bookworm? It was indeed something which I had never thought of. And my answers were Displays, Songs, Cooking. Others said art, stitching, dancing,etc. Which library has these things? NONE.
With the opening of ‘The Lady with the Books’ I realised how each element of the book makes a difference. With this book I got an opportunity to read 6 more books which were mentioned in the book.
While learning The Parts of the Book, I learnt new words like Blurb, Annotation, How to annotate, finding the ISBN and the purpose behind using it. Reading I Believe in Unicorns and learning the Story Grammar were very deep learning for me as I struggled to find the plot and time period. But with When Bholu Came Back (I enjoyed the Read Aloud) as a revision to story elements, I understood the whole process.
Finding books of different genres as homework. and learning the locations where they are placed in our library made me know the library better.
I need a lot of practice for Book Talk-I realised. It goes well only with more and more practice. The third time I did a Book Talk was much better than the first time.
Yay! I placed all the books back on the shelves after the training.
Happy to be a part of Bookworm Thank You!”
From the Facilitator – Sujata
“As scores of groups come and go attending some or the other professional training program at Bookworm, our own Bookworm team are scurrying into the field or engaging children in our libraries, intersecting rarely with training content.
May 2023 – we changed that.
Over an intense 18 hours of live – training and an equal number of asynchronous activities, the Bookworm team were the trainees and explored some topics and areas of library work together and in-depth.
June 2023 – we hope to see a more deeper engaged team spread library joy.”
And the journey of learning and reading continues…
